Reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reproducing apparatus includes a reproducing section picking up any signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods from a recording medium. The recording medium records the signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods and record management information denoting association of the signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods with each other, respectively. A decoding section decodes the signal picked up from said recording medium, and a recording section records reproduction management information including reproduction-interruption information in the reproducing section associated with the record management information onto the recording medium.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/519,851, filed Dec. 29, 2004, which is a U.S. National PhaseApplication of PCT International Application PCT/JP03/08891, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus forrecording/reproducing motion video with a recording medium such as anoptical disc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A system stream defined by MPEG2 standard (ISO/IEC 13818-1) is alreadyknown as a method for compressing video in a low bit rate. Three typesof streams, a program stream (PS), a transport stream (TS), and a PESstream, are defined in the system stream.

In addition, a system stream defined by MPEG4 standard (ISO/IEC 14496-1)is also already known as a method for compressing in a lower bit rate.Five types of streams, a program stream (PS), a transport stream (TS),an H 223 stream, an RTP stream, and an MP4 stream, are defined in thesystem stream.

On the other hand, an optical disc such as DVD-RAM, MO has become to besignificant as a video recording medium replacing a magnetic tape. FIG.16 shows a construction of a conventional AV data recording andreproducing apparatus 300 for video with a DVD-RAM disc. In FIG. 16, aprogram stream is generated from input signals from a video signal inputsection 100 and an audio signal input section 102 by a compressingsection 301, respectively, and the generated program stream is writtenin a DVD-RAM disc 131 through a recording section 320 and a pickup 130.In reproduction, the program stream read through the pickup 130 and areproducing section 321 is decoded into a video signal and an audiosignal by a decoding section 311, and the decoded video and audiosignals are provided to a video signal output section 110 and an audiosignal output section 112. The compressing section 301 can compress asignal in MPEG2 and in a lower rate than MPEG2. The decoding section 311can decode a signal compressed in MPEG2 or a signal compressed in thelower rate than MPEG2.

In recording, a recording control section 341 controls the recordingsection 320. In addition, according to an instruction of the recordingcontrol section 341, a continuous-data-area detecting section 340 checksavailability of a sector managed by a logic block management section143, and detects a physically continuous available area. When a recordedvideo signal file is deleted, the recording control section 341 controlsthe recording section 320 and the reproducing section 321, and performsdeleting process.

Thus, conventionally, the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus300 reproduces a signal compressed in MPEG2 for example, and a userplays video and audio by connecting it to a display apparatus such as aTV.

Recently, a portable video player capable of playing video in a furtherlower bit rate has been introduced. While, such a portable video player400 has a similar construction to the AV data recording and reproducingapparatus 300, a battery (not shown) is used in the portable videoplayer 400 as a power source to be carried for playing.

Accordingly, for example, when a user records a broadcast program, inthe case that a user views the broadcast program on a TV screen, theuser records a video signal and an audio signal of the program onto arecording medium with compressing in MPEG2 (hereinafter referred to as“record in MPEG2”), for example. In addition, in the case that the userviews the program on the portable video player 400, the user records thevideo signal and the audio signal with compressing in a low bit ratelower than in MPEG2 (referred to as “record in a low bit rate”).Additionally, both of the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus300 and the portable video player 400 have a resuming function which,after interrupting playing video, allows to play the subsequent video onthe apparatus that interrupted playing the video (for example, seeJapanese Laid-Open Patent Publication KOKAI No. 2001-344874).

On the other hand, there is a case that the user records the program ina low bit rate at first to play the program on the portable video player400, and then he or she plays the recorded program on the portable videoplayer 400 outdoors and stops playing it. After that, the user may playthe subsequent video from the some midpoint in his or her home. In sucha case, the program is recorded onto the recording medium only in thelow bit rate. Therefore, there was a problem that the user cannot playit in high-resolution image quality even if he or she plays it on a TVscreen much larger than the display of the portable video player 400.

In addition, there is the other thinkable case where the user records aprogram in MPEG2 to play the program on a TV in his or her home, andthen he or she plays the recorded program in the home and stops playingit at some midpoint. After that, the user may play the subsequent videofrom the some midpoint on the portable video player 400 outdoors. Insuch a case, the program is recorded onto the recording medium only inMPEG2. Therefore, the portable video player 400 should decode the signalrecorded in MPEG2. The signal recorded in MPEG2 requires much largerpower consumption as compared with the signal recorded in a low bit ratewhen read or decoded. Accordingly, there was a problem where a batteryof the portable video player 400 tends to exhaust quickly.

Thus, since a playing mode is specified when a program is recorded, itis difficult that the program is played suitably according to conditions(image quality, a bit rate, power consumption, etc.) of each playingmode when the previously specified playing mode is changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the above problem, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a reproducing apparatus capable of playing videoand/or audio suitably for a condition of each playing mode even when apreviously specified playing mode is changed.

The first present invention is a reproducing apparatus, comprising:

a reproducing unit that extracts, from a recording medium in whichsignals that have same contents but are compressed in a plurality ofdifferent conditions, and record management information that denotes amutual association between said signals that have the same contents butare compressed in a plurality of different conditions are recorded,respectively, any of said signals;

a decoding unit that decodes any of said signals extracted from saidrecording medium; and

a recording unit that records, in correspondence to said recordmanagement information, reproduction management information includingreproduction middle information that denotes middle of a reproduction ofsignals from said recording medium.

The second present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention, wherein said recording unit records saidreproduction management information on said recording medium.

The third present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention, further comprising a built-in flash memory,

wherein said reproduction management information is recorded on saidflash memory.

The fourth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe third present invention, wherein said reproducing unit furtherextracts said reproduction management information from said flashmemory, and based on said record management information and saidreproduction management information, extracts, from said recordingmedium, signals after signals corresponding to said reproduction middleinformation included in said reproduction management information.

The fifth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according toany one of the first to the fourth present inventions, wherein saidreproduction middle information concerns elapsed time from start ofreproduction of said signal.

The sixth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe third present invention, wherein said recording unit furtherrecords, in correspondence to said record management information andsaid reproduction management information, identification information ofsaid recording medium on said flash memory.

The seventh present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe sixth present invention,

wherein said reproducing unit further extracts said record managementinformation, said reproduction management information, and saididentification information of said recording medium, any of signalsextracted from said recording medium is suitable for said reproducingunit and/or said decoding unit, and

said reproducing unit, based on said record management information, saidreproduction management information, and said identification informationof said recording medium, further extracts, from said recording medium,signals after signals corresponding to said reproduction middleinformation included in said reproduction management information.

The eighth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention, wherein said different conditions concerndifferent bit rates, different numbers of pixels, or differentcompression methods.

The ninth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention, wherein said signals that have the samecontents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions arerecorded on said recording medium so that each of said signals can becontinuously reproduced.

The tenth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention, wherein said signals that have the samecontents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions arerecorded respectively in continuous data areas, each of which has sizethat is equal to or larger than a predetermined size.

The eleventh present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe tenth present invention,

wherein said recording medium is an optical disc, a magneto-opticaldisc, or a magnetic disc,

said reproducing unit has a head for reading a signal from saidrecording medium, and

said predetermined size is expressed by the following equation:Vo×Tj×Vr/(Vr−Vo)  (equation 1)

(Vo: data transfer rate to said decoding unit (Mbps), Tj: maximum seektime of said head (second), Vr: data-reading rate of each of saidsignals from said recording medium by said head (Mpbs)).

The twelfth present invention is the reproducing apparatus according tothe first present invention,

wherein said signals that have the same contents but are compressed in aplurality of different conditions are recorded respectively incontinuous data areas, each of which has size that is equal to or largerthan a predetermined size, and

said continuous data areas are recorded in a form of being repeatedlyalternately arranged.

The thirteenth present invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the tenth or the twelfth present inventions, wherein said signalscompressed in a plurality of different conditions that are recorded inthe continuous data areas, each of which has size that is equal to orlarger than the predetermined size, have same reproduction time.

The fourteenth present invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the twelfth present invention, wherein said decoding unit furtherdecodes signals compressed in a plurality of different conditions thatare extracted from said recording medium.

The fifteenth present invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the eighth present invention, wherein said different compressionmethods are MPEG2 and MPEG4, respectively.

The sixteenth present invention is a recording apparatus, comprising:

a recording unit that records, on a recording medium, signals that havesame contents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions,and record management information that denotes a mutual associationbetween said signals that have the same contents but are compressed in aplurality of different conditions;

a reproducing unit that extracts a signal recorded on said recordingmedium; and

a decoding unit that decodes a signal extracted from said recordingmedium,

wherein said recording unit records said signals that have the samecontents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions,respectively, in continuous data areas, each of which has size that isequal to or larger than a predetermined size, and records saidcontinuous data areas on said recording medium in a form of beingrepeatedly alternately arranged.

The seventeenth present invention is the recording apparatus accordingto the sixteenth present invention,

wherein said recording medium is an optical disc, a magneto-opticaldisc, or a magnetic disc,

said reproducing unit has a head for reading a signal from saidrecording medium, and

said predetermined size is expressed by the following equation:Vo×Tj×Vr/(Vr−Vo)  (equation 1)

(Vo: data transfer rate to said decoding unit (Mbps), Tj: maximum seektime of said head (second), Vr: data-reading rate of each of saidsignals from said recording medium by said head (Mpbs)).

The eighteenth present invention is a recording and reproducing system,comprising:

a reproducing unit that extracts, from a recording medium in whichsignals that are compressed in a plurality of different conditions, andrecord management information that denotes a mutual association betweensaid signals that are compressed in a plurality of different conditionsare recorded, respectively, any of said signals;

a decoding unit that decodes any of said signals;

a transmitting unit that transmits any of said signals; and

a remote decoding unit that decodes said transmitted signal,

wherein said reproducing unit outputs said extracted signal to saiddecoding unit or said transmitting unit, and records, in correspondenceto said record management information, reproduction managementinformation including reproduction middle information with regard todecoding in said decoding unit or said remote decoding unit.

The nineteenth present invention is the recording and reproducing systemaccording to the eighteenth present invention, wherein said reproducingunit can transmit said extracted signal to said remote decoding unit,and in said transmission, based on said record management informationand said reproduction management information, transmits signals aftersignals corresponding to said reproduction middle information includedin said reproduction management information.

The twentieth present invention is a reproducing method, comprising thesteps of:

extracting, from a recording medium in which signals that have samecontents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions, andrecord management information that denotes a mutual association betweensaid signals that have the same contents but are compressed in aplurality of different conditions are recorded, respectively, any ofsaid signals;

decoding any of said signals extracted from said recording medium; and

recording, in correspondence to said record management information,reproduction management information including reproduction middleinformation that denotes middle of a reproduction of signals from saidrecording medium.

The twenty-first present invention is the reproducing method accordingto the twentieth present invention,

wherein the step of recording, in correspondence to said recordmanagement information, said reproduction management information means astep of recording, in correspondence to said record managementinformation, said reproduction management information on a flash memory,

the reproducing method further comprising the steps of:

extracting said reproduction management information from said flashmemory, and

based on said record management information and said reproductionmanagement information, extracting, from said recording medium, signalsafter signals corresponding to said reproduction middle informationincluded in said reproduction management information.

The twenty-second present invention is a program that causes a computerto perform functions as the reproducing unit that extracts, from saidrecording medium, any of said signals, the decoding unit that decodesany of said signals extracted from said recording medium, and therecording unit that records, in correspondence to said record managementinformation, said reproduction management information, of thereproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the presentinvention.

The twenty-third present invention is a program that causes a computerto perform functions as the reproducing unit that extracts saidreproduction management information from said flash memory, and based onsaid record management information and said reproduction managementinformation, extracts, from said recording medium, signals after signalscorresponding to said reproduction middle information included in saidreproduction management information, of the reproducing apparatusaccording to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

The twenty-fourth present invention is a recording medium that storesthe program according to the twenty-second or the twenty-third presentinvention, and is computer-executable.

The twenty-fifth present invention is a data structure, wherein signalshaving same contents are compressed in a plurality of differentconditions and are independently recorded on a recording medium, thedata structure being capable of recording record management informationthat denotes a mutual association between said signals that have thesame contents but are compressed in a plurality of different conditions,and reproduction management information including reproduction middleinformation that denotes middle of reproduction of signals from arecording medium, in correspondence to said record managementinformation.

To solve the above problems, the first aspect of the invention is areproducing apparatus comprising:

a reproducing section picking up any signals compressed in a pluralityof different compression methods from a recording medium which recordssaid signals compressed in the plurality of different compressionmethods and record management information denoting each other'sassociation of said signals compressed in the plurality of differentcompression methods, respectively;

a decoding section decoding said signal picked up from the recordingmedium; and

a recording section recording reproduction management informationincluding reproduction-interruption information in said reproducingsection associated with said record management information onto saidrecording medium.

The second aspect of the invention is the reproducing apparatusaccording to the first aspect of the invention, wherein saidreproduction-interruption information is elapsed time from start ofreproduction of said signal.

The third aspect of the invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the first aspect of the invention, which is driven by a battery.

The forth aspect of the invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the first aspect of the invention, which is suitable for displaying asignal decoded from the signal compressed in MPEG2.

The fifth aspect of the invention is a reproducing apparatus comprisinga reproducing section picking up any of signals compressed in aplurality of different compression methods, record managementinformation denoting each other's association of said signals compressedin the plurality of different compression methods, and said reproductionmanagement information recorded by the reproducing apparatus accordingto the first aspect of the invention from a recording medium whichrecords said signals compressed in the plurality of differentcompression methods, said record management information, and saidreproduction management information, respectively; and

a decoding section decoding said any of the signals picked up from therecording medium;

wherein said any of the signals picked up from the recording medium issuitable for said reproducing section and/or said decoding section,

said reproducing section picks up a signal subsequent to the signalcorresponding to said reproduction-interruption information included insaid reproduction management information from said recording mediumbased on said record management information and said reproductionmanagement information.

The sixth aspect of the invention is the reproducing apparatus accordingto the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein said plurality ofdifferent compression methods are MPEG2 and MPEG4,

said record management information is information which associates saidsignal compressed in MPEG2 with said signal compressed in MPEG4,

a compression method for said signal subsequent to the signalcorresponding to said reproduction-interruption information is differentfrom a compression method for the signal that reproduced by thereproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

The seventh aspect of the invention is a recording apparatus whichrecords signals compressed in a plurality of different compressionmethods and record management information denoting each other'sassociation of said signals compressed in a plurality of differentcompression methods onto a recording medium.

The eighth aspect of the invention is the recording apparatus accordingto the seventh aspect of the invention, wherein said recording sectionrecords said signal compressed in MPEG2 and said signal compressed inMPEG4 as alternatively aligned stream onto said recording medium.

The ninth aspect of the invention is the recording apparatus accordingto the eighth aspect of the invention, wherein said signal streamcompressed in MPEG2 including at least a first predetermined continuousdata area is recorded onto said recording medium, and said signal streamcompressed in MPEG4 including at least a second predetermined continuousdata area is recorded onto said recording medium.

The tenth aspect of the invention is the recording apparatus accordingto the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein said recording medium isan optical disc or a magnetic disc, and the reproducing section of thereproducing apparatus picking up the signal recorded on said recordingmedium according to the first or the fifth aspect of the inventionincludes a head picking up the signal from said recording medium,wherein said first or second predetermined continuous data area isrepresented byVo×Tj×Vr/(Vr−Vo)  [Equation 1](Vo: a transfer rate of said each signal from the head (Mbps), Tj: themaximum seek time of said head (second), Vr: a data-reading rate of saideach signal from said recording medium to said head (Mpbps)).

The eleventh aspect of the invention is the recording apparatusaccording to the tenth aspect of the invention, wherein said recordingsection records said signal stream compressed in MPEG2 and said signalstream compressed in MPEG4 onto said recording medium so that time forreproducing said signal stream compressed in MPEG2 equals to time forreproducing said signal stream compressed in MPEG4 in said reproducingsection.

The twelfth aspect of the invention is a recording and reproducingmethod comprising steps of recording signals compressed in a pluralityof different compression methods and record management informationdenoting each other's association of said signals compressed in theplurality of different compression methods onto a recording medium;

picking up any of said signals from said recording medium;

recording reproduction management information includingreproduction-interruption information associated with said recordmanagement information onto said recording medium;

picking up said record management information and said reproductionmanagement information from said recording medium, which records saidreproduction management information;

picking up a signal subsequent to the signal corresponding to saidreproduction-interruption information included in said reproductionmanagement information from said recording medium which records saidreproduction management information, based on said record managementinformation and said reproduction management information;

decoding said signal subsequent to the signal corresponding to saidreproduction-interruption information,

wherein said signal subsequent to the signal corresponding to saidreproduction-interruption information is suitable for said picking upstep and/or said decoding step.

The thirteenth aspect of the invention is a program for causing acomputer to perform as a reproducing section picking up said any ofsignals and a decoding section for decoding said signal picked up fromthe recording medium in the reproducing apparatus according to the firstaspect of the invention.

The fourteenth aspect of the invention is a program for causing acomputer to perform as a reproducing section picking up said anysignals, said record management information, and said reproductionmanagement information from the recording medium; and a decoding sectionfor decoding said signal picked up from the recording medium in thereproducing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

The fifteenth aspect of the invention is a recording medium executableby a computer storing the program according to the thirteenth or thefourteenth aspect of the invention.

The sixteenth aspect of the invention is a data structure capable ofrecording signals compressed in a plurality of different compressionmethods separately, and of recording management information denotingassociation of said signals compressed in a plurality of differentcompression methods with each other and reproduction-interruptioninformation associated with said management information in reproduction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide areproducing apparatus capable of playing video and/or audio suitably fora condition of each playing mode even when a previously specifiedplaying mode is changed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AV data recording and reproducingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of usage of an AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic views for showing a usage pattern ofan AV data recording and reproducing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4(a)-4(c) are diagrams for showing a recording form of an AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for showing a recording form of an AV data recordingand reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a construction of a full-video stream formedby an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a construction of a time-information fileformed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a construction of a mini-video file formedby an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a time-information file of a mini-video fileformed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing each video stream formed by an AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for showing a continuous data area of a stream ofvideo image formed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for showing continuous data of a stream of videoimage formed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for showing continuous data of a stream of videoimage formed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for showing continuous data of a stream of videoimage formed by an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a usage pattern of a recording andreproducing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a conventional AV recording andreproducing apparatus.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   100 Video Signal Input Section-   101 MPEG2 Compressing Section-   102 Audio Signal Input Section-   103 MPEG4 Compressing Section-   110 Video Signal Output Section-   111 MPEG2 Decoding Section-   112 Audio Signal Output Section-   113 MPEG4 Decoding Section-   130 Pickup-   131 DVD-RAM Disc-   143 Logic Block Management Section-   320 Recording Section-   321 Reproducing section-   340 Continuous-Data-Area Detecting Section-   341 Record Control Section-   342 Reproducing Control Section

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following description will describe embodiments according to thepresent invention with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 as oneembodiment of a reproducing apparatus according the present invention.In FIG. 1, signals provided from a video signal input section 100 and anaudio signal input section 102 are compressed by an MPEG2 compressingsection 101, and a program stream including an MPEG2 video stream isformed. In addition, the same signals are compressed by an MPEG4compressing section 103, and an MP4 stream including an MPEG4 videostream is formed. Each of these compressed signals is separately writteninto a DVD-RAM disc 131, which is one example of a recording mediumaccording to the present invention, through a recording section 120 anda pickup 130. In the MPEG4 compressing section 103, the video signal iscompressed after its pixel number is reduced in ¼. Here, a bit rate ofthe program stream, which is provided by the MPEG2 compressing section101, is approximately 9 Mbps, a bit rate of the MP4 stream, which isprovided by the MPEG4 compressing section 103, is approximately 0.5 Mbpsas one example.

In reproduction, either one of the program stream including the MPEG2video stream and the MP4 stream including the MPEG4 stream is playedbased on user's selection. Concretely, when the program stream is pickedup through the pickup 130 and a reproducing section 121, which is oneexample of a reproducing section according to the present invention, itis decoded into a video signal and an audio signal by the MPEG2 decodingsection 111, and the decoded signals are provided to a video signaloutput section 110 and an audio signal output section 112. In addition,when the MP4 stream is picked up, it is decoded into a video signal andan audio signal by the MPEG4 decoding section 113, and the decodedsignals are provided to a video signal output section 110 and an audiosignal output section 112.

FIG. 2 is a view for explanation schematically showing an example ofusage of the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 according toan embodiment of the present invention. A portable video player 2 isanother example of the reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention. Its construction is similar to the construction of the AVdata recording and reproducing apparatus 1, therefore, its descriptionis omitted for ease of explanation. The portable video player 2 includesa battery (not shown), and can be also driven by the battery. Wheneither one of the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 and theportable apparatus 2 interrupts playing the DVD-RAM disc 131, whichrecords the above program stream and the MP4 stream, at some midpoint,the other apparatus can play the subsequent video from the some midpointin the most suitable mode for the apparatus.

Concretely, even when the user interrupts playing a broadcast programindoors recorded on the DVD-RAM disc at some midpoint on the AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus 1, he or she can play the subsequentprogram from the some midpoint on the portable player 2 with reducingexhaustion of the battery as shown in FIG. 3(a).

Additionally, on the other hand, even when the user interrupts playingthe broadcast program outdoors recorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131 at somemidpoint on the portable video player, he or she can play the subsequentprogram from the some midpoint on the AV data recording and reproducingapparatus 1 in high image quality, as shown in FIG. 3(b).

Next, the following description describes a concrete operation of the AVdata recording and reproducing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.As shown in FIG. 4(a), the program stream including the MPEG2 videostream (hereinafter referred to as a “full-video stream”) is recordedonto the DVD-RAM disc 131 as a full-video file MOV001.MPG. In this time,a time-information file associated with the full-video file is alsorecorded. In addition, the MP4 stream including the MPEG4 video stream(hereinafter referred to as a “mini-video stream”) is recorded onto theDVD-RAM disc as a mini-video file MOV001.MP4. Here, time-informationassociated with the mini-video stream is recorded into a header of themini-video file.

Thus, the same video signal and the same audio signal are recorded indifferent bit rates and different numbers of pixels as separated files,and co-record denoting information is stored as record managementinformation including both filenames in a record management file asshown in FIG. 4(c). In addition, an identifier for identifying theprogram (SIML#1, in an example of FIG. 4) is also recorded. Accordingly,it is possible to identify which program is stored into which two videofiles. Thus, in the case that the recorded broadcast program is played,when the portable player 2 is used outdoors, for example, the mini-videofile is selectively or automatically reproduced and decoded.Subsequently, the user plays the recorded broadcast program on arelatively small, about three-inch of liquid-crystal display (plays arole as a part of the video signal output section 110) and a pair ofheadphones (plays a role as a part of the audio signal output section112). Additionally, when it is played by connecting the AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus 1 to a large display TV3, thefull-video file is selectively or automatically reproduced and decoded.

Next, the following description describe the operation in the case thatthe portable video player 2 plays the subsequent program, which isrecorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131, from some midpoint, outdoors after theprogram is played with the large display TV3 up to the some midpointindoors.

When the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 stops playing thebroadcast program recorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131 at some midpointbefore playing it all, the reproducing section 121 conveys the stop tothe recording section 120 thorough a record control section 141. Therecording section 120 records elapsed time from the beginning of theprogram onto the DVD-RAM disc 131 as reproduction-interruptioninformation. For example, in the case that the program is interruptedplaying the program at 10 minutes from the beginning, the recordingsection 120 records a value 10 minutes and the identifier of the playedbroadcast program as the reproduction-interruption information into thereproduction management file as shown in FIG. 4(b).

After that, when the user goes out outdoors and resumes playing thesubsequent program from the some midpoint on the portable video player2, he or she inserts the DVD-RAM disc 131, which was ejected from the AVdata recording and reproducing apparatus 1, into the portable videoplayer 2. Then, an operation with the mini-video file to be played bythe portable video player 2 is selected by the user, or is automaticallyselected. Subsequently, the reproducing section 121 reads thereproduction-interruption information from the DVD-RAM disc 131. Thereproduction-interruption information is transferred to a reproductioncontrol section 142. The reproduction control section 142 quicklyretrieves the filename of the mini-video file based on the identifier ofthe broadcast program included in the reproduction-interruptioninformation as a key. Further, the reproduction control section 142detects the some midpoint of the reproduction interruption in thecorresponding mini-video file based on the elapsed time included in thereproduction-interruption information and the time information includedin the header of the mini-video file. Consequently, the reproductioncontrol section 142 instructs the reproducing section 121 to reproducethe corresponding mini-video file from the some midpoint of thereproduction interruption.

According to the above operation, even when the user interrupts playinga broadcast program recorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131 at some midpoint onthe AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 indoors, he or she canplay the subsequent program from the some midpoint on the portableplayer 2 with remarkably reducing the power consumption. As compared thecase that a full-video file of 9 Mbps, which is recorded on a DVD-RAMhaving a transferring rate of 24 Mbps, is reproduced with the case thata mini-video file of 1 Mbps is reproduced, the reproduction and decodingof the mini-video file requires its power consumption as little as ¼ ofthat of the reproduction and decoding of the full-video file, forexample. That is, in terms of reduction for power consumption in thereproducing section 121 and/or the decoding sections 111 and 113, thesignal compressed in MPEG4, which is picked up from the recordingmedium, is suitable. In other words, the signal compressed in MPEG4 issuitable for reproduction in a portable device.

In addition, on the other hand, the following description describes theoperation in the case that the AV data recording and reproducingapparatus 1 plays the subsequent program, which is recorded on theDVD-RAM disc 131, from some midpoint, indoors after the portable videoplayer 2 interrupts playing it at the some midpoint outdoors.

When the portable player 2 interrupts playing the broadcast programrecorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131 at some midpoint before playing it all,the reproducing section 121 conveys the interruption to the recordingsection 120 thorough the record control section 141. The recordingsection 120 records elapsed time from the beginning of the program ontothe DVD-RAM disc 131 as reproduction-interruption information. Forexample, in the case that the program is interrupted playing at 10minutes from the beginning, the recording section 120 records a value 10minutes and the identifier of the played broadcast program as thereproduction-interruption information into the reproduction managementfile as shown in FIG. 4(b).

After that, when the user returns home and plays the subsequent programagain from the some midpoint, he or she ejects the DVD-RAM 131 from theportable video player 2 and inserts it into the AV data recording andreproducing apparatus 1. Then, the full-video file to be played by theAV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 is selected by the user,or is automatically selected. Subsequently, the reproducing section 121reads the reproduction-interruption information from the DVD-RAM disc131. The reproduction-interruption information is transferred to thereproduction control section 142. The reproduction control section 142quickly retrieves the filename of the full-video file based on theidentifier of the broadcast program included in thereproduction-interruption information as a key. Further, thereproduction control section 142 detects the some midpoint of thereproduction interruption in the corresponding full-video file based onthe elapsed time included in the reproduction-interruption informationand the time information file MOV001.IFO. Consequently, the reproductioncontrol section 142 instructs the reproducing section 121 to reproducethe corresponding full-video file from the some midpoint of thereproduction interruption.

According to the above operation, even when the user interrupts playinga broadcast program recorded on the DVD-RAM disc 131 at some midpoint onthe portable player 2 outdoors, he or she can play the subsequentprogram from the some midpoint on the AV data recording and reproducingapparatus 1. In this case, since the signal compressed in MPEG2 issuitable for display on a large display when decoded, it is possible toplay the program in high-resolution image quality.

Additionally, when the user plays the subsequent program from the somemidpoint on either of the apparatuses, the user can easily play thesubsequent program from the some midpoint without complicated operationsuch as giving the filename of the full-video file (or of the mini-videofile) and skipping files up to the some midpoint where playing isinterrupted.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a directory construction of the abovefull-video file, mini-video file, time-information file, recordmanagement file, and the reproduction management file.

FIG. 6 shows one example of a construction of the full-video file(MOV001.MPG), which is recorded on the DVD-RAM 131. The DVD-RAM 131includes 2 k bytes of sectors. A logic block includes 16 sectors. Thefull-video image is recorded onto the DVD-RAM 131 with anerror-correction code added with respect to each of the logic block. Inaddition, physically continuous logic blocks corresponding to more thanor equal to 11 seconds in terms of the maximum recording rate isallocated as one continuous data area. A video packet unit (Video OBjectUNIT: hereinafter referred to as a “VOBU”), which consists of 0.4-1seconds of MPEG stream, is sequentially recorded into the area. One VOBUconsists of packs, which are 2 k bytes of units and are classified inlow classification of the MPEG program stream. There are two types ofpacks. One is a video pack (V_PCK), which stores compressed-video data.Another is an audio pack (A_PCK), which stores compressed-audio data.Additionally, one VOBU includes all of V_PCKs for corresponding time.Moreover, one VOBU includes all of A_TSPs including audio framesrequired for timing. That is, the video frames and the audio frames arecompleted in the VOBU packs.

The continuous-data-area detecting section 340 detects a next continuousdata area again when the rest of one continuous data area becomes lessthan 3 seconds in terms of the maximum recording rate. Then, when onecontinuous data area becomes full, the recording section 120 writes intothe next continuous data.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a construction of the time-information fileMOV001.IFO. The time information, which denotes association between theelapsed time from the file head and data address (the number of packs)from the file head in reproduction of the full-video stream, is storedas time-information file MOV001.IFO into the recording medium 131separately from the full-video file.

On the other hand, the mini-video stream is recorded as mini-video fileMOV001.MP4 into the DVD-RAM 131. FIG. 8 shows an example of aconstruction of the mini-video file. In the mini-video file, timeinformation, which denotes the elapsed time from the file head and dataaddress from the file head in reproduction, is stored in the headersection of the file. The header of the MP4 file consists in a datastructure, so-called an atom structure and stores various attributes. Asshown in FIG. 9, the time information is stored in “Sample Table Atom”.

The reproduction control section 142 can easily detect the addressstoring the respective video files, for example, corresponding to thevideo at 10 minutes from the beginning based on the time information. Inan example shown in FIG. 7, VOBU reproduction time (the number of thefields) corresponding to the elapsed time is calculated as one example,and VOBU data size corresponding to the cumulative value is determined,for example. In addition, in an example shown in FIG. 9, a video frameperiod (time) corresponding to the elapsed time is calculated, and videoframe size (the number of bytes) corresponding to this is determined.According to such operation, the address of the signal subsequent to thesome midpoint where playing is interrupted is determined. Here, the timeinformation stored in the time-information file MOV001.IFO and the timeinformation stored in the header of the mini-video file play a role asone example of the record management information according to thepresent invention. Additionally, the file head of each video file isdefined by the location at the beginning of the video signal and theaudio signal.

FIG. 10 shows mode that the record contents in the DVD-RAM disc 131 aremanaged by a UDF (Universal Disk Format) file system or by an ISO/IEC13346 (Volume and file structure of write-once and rewritable mediausing non-sequential recording for information interchange) file system.In FIG. 10, one continuously recorded MPEG program stream is recorded asa file VR_MOVIE.VRO. In this file, its filename and the location of itsfile entry are managed by an FID (File Identifier Descriptor). Inaddition, the filename is written in a “File Identifier” column as“VR_MOVIE.VRO”, and the location of the file entry is written in an“ICB” column as a top sector number.

Besides, the UDF standards are equivalent to the implementation standardof the ISO/IEC 13346 standard. In addition, a file written in compliantwith the UDF format can be handled as one file also from a PC in thecase that a DVD-RAM drive is connected to the PC through the 1394interface and a SBP-2 (Serial Bus Protocol) protocol.

Additionally, the file entry manages the continuous data areas (CDAs) a,b, and c, which store data, with an allocation descriptor. Concretely,when detecting a bad logic block during recording into the continuousdata area a, the recording control section 341 skips said logic blockand continues to write from the top of the continuous data area b. Next,when detecting a conflict with a record area of the PC file duringrecording into the continuous data area b, the recording control section341 skips said logic block and continues to write from the head of thecontinuous data area c. Consequently, the file VR_MOVIE.VRO consist ofthe continuous data areas a, b, and c.

In addition, in the regulation for description of the allocationdescriptor, the top location of the data, to which the allocationdescriptors a, b, and c access, should equals to the head of the sector,and the data size of the data, to which the allocation descriptors a,and b other than the last allocation descriptor c access, should be anintegral multiple of one sector.

Additionally, the data size of one VOBU varies in the range less than orequal to the maximum recording rate if the video has a variable bitrate. The data size of one VOBU is almost constant if the video has afixed bit rate.

Moreover, data-reading from a phase change type optical disc such as theDVD-RAM 131 and data-output to the MPEG2 decoding section are performedin parallel in reproduction of recorded contents. In this case, itscontrol is performed so that the rate of data-reading is faster than therate of data-output so that data to be reproduced may not run out.Accordingly, in the case that continuous data-reading and continuousdata-output are kept, superfluous data to be output can be reservedaccording to the rate difference between the rate of data-reading andthe rate of data-output. That is, continuous reproduction can beachieved by using the reserved superfluous data as output data duringtemporal stop caused by a jump of the pickup 130.

Concretely, in the case that the rate of data-reading from the DVD-RAM131 is 11 Mbps, the maximum rate of data-output to the MPEG2 decodingsection is 8 Mbps, and the maximum moving time of the pickup 130 is 3seconds, 24 Mbits of data corresponding to moving of the pickup 130 isrequired as the superfluous output data. Continuous reading for 8seconds is necessary to ensure the superfluous data. That is, continuouspicking up during a period, which is obtained by dividing 24 Mbits bythe difference between the rate of data-reading 11 Mbps and the rate ofdata-output 8 Mbps, is necessary.

Accordingly, since 88 Mbits or 11 seconds of output data is read duringcontinuous reading for 8 seconds, reserving more than or equal to 11seconds of continuous data area can ensure continuous reproduction.

In addition, several bad logic blocks may be included in the continuousdata area. However, in this case, it is necessary to reserve a bit morethan 11 seconds of continuous data area for additional time necessary toread the bad logic blocks in reproduction.

To generalize the above explanation, the minimum size of the continuousdata area is represented byMinimum Size of Continuous Data Area=Vo×Tj×Vr/(Vr−Vo)  [Equation 2]where Tj (second) is the maximum seek time of the pickup 130, Vo (Mbps)is a data-output rate to the MPEG2 decoding section, and Vr (Mbps) is adata-reading rate of the pickup 130. Here, Vo and Vr vary according toMPEG2 and MPEG4. A first predetermined continuous data area according tothe present invention and a second predetermined continuous data areaaccording to the present invention, which are the minimum size ofadequate continuous data area, are determined for the respectivecompression methods. Additionally, FIG. 11 shows the relationship of theabove equation. Since the continuous data area is determined asmentioned above, it is possible to pick up each part of data withoutfreezing even in the case that two video streams are alternativelyrecorded as shown in FIG. 12.

Here, the continuous data area that ensures continuous data reproductionin MPEG2 is larger than in MPEG4. Accordingly, 11-12 seconds offull-video data that ensures continuous data reproduction in MPEG2 andsimilarly 11-12 seconds of mini-video data are alternatively recorded sothat both video data can be reproduced continuously. In addition, inthis case, since the mini-video is recorded in a longer unit for 11-12seconds, a seeking process of pickup can be often eliminated. Therefore,it is possible to shorten video-output delay time of each frame of themini-video. Since the mini-video has small data size, all data can belocated in the memory. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly reproduceat high speed (for example, double speed reproduction) by using allrecorded frames. In the similar case of the full-video, its data size isso large that it is difficult to locate the frame data in the memory.Therefore, since specific frames (for example, only I frame) in thememory are reproduced in the high speed reproduction, its smoothness ispoor as compared with the mini-video. Additionally, since mini-video hassmall data size, it is possible to reproduce at normal speed or doublespeed and so on in the reverse direction. Moreover, special reproductionsuch as reproducing frame-by-frame advance or return can be easilyperformed at high speed when data is located in the memory.

However, in this case, it is preferable that the video data and themini-video data as a pair of two continuous data areas are locatedwithout separating physically in the pair. In addition, it is preferablethat the continuous data area of the mini-video data is located inphysically upstream side than the continuous data area of the full-videodata in order of the block number. The reason is that both data to bereproduced can be read more quickly in parallel reproduction. Thus,first video-output time can be further reduced in parallel reproduction.

When the data size of each continuous data area satisfies the aboveequation, physically continuous location is not necessary as shown inFIG. 13. However, in order to continuously play the video and audiowithout freezing, it is necessary that the first continuous data area(CDA) is provided in the case of MPEG2, and that the second continuousdata area is provided in the case of MPEG4, and that respective files inthese continuous data areas are performed physically continuousrecording. Accordingly, seeking operation of the pickup 130 forrecording two files in parallel can be reduced.

Besides, in the case that the each data area is recorded so that theeach data reproduction time is the same as each other, it is possible toreproduce the full-video and the mini-video in parallel. That is, forexample, if the reproducing section 121 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 picks upboth of the full-video file and the mini-video file from the DVD-RAM131, and the MPEG2 decoding section 111 and the MPEG4 decoding section113 decode the files respectively, and the decoded respective videosignal and audio signal are provided to display of the portable videoplayer 2 and the display apparatus 3 connected to the AV data recordingand reproducing apparatus 1, it is possible to reproduce both of thefull-video file and the mini-video file in parallel (in other words, inthe same reproduction advance).

In this case, since each frame of the full-video file and the mini-videofile is generated based on the same clock as reference, adjustingreproduction timing of first one frame can adjust reproduction timing ofeach of subsequent frames. The reproduction timing of each first oneframe of the full-video and the mini-video can be adjusted by startingthe video data corresponding to the same time based on the timeinformation in the time-information file and the time information in themini-video file, respectively.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, data such as a PC file may beinterposed (interleaved) between the respective continuous data areas.

In addition, although the portable video player 2 is used outdoors andthe AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 is used indoors in theabove description, needless to say, the present invention is not limitedto this. Additionally, the portable video player 2 and the AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus 1 may be used with connecting eachother as shown in FIG. 15.

In this case, when one of the apparatuses controls the other apparatusremotely, it is not necessary to reinsert the DVD-RAM disc 131 betweenboth the apparatuses, respectively. For example, when the reproducingsection 121 of the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 picksup both the full-video file and the mini-video file, and transmits themini-video file to the portable video player 2, it is necessary for theportable video player 2 only to decode the mini-file. Therefore, it ispossible to further reduce exhaustion of the battery in the portablevideo player 2. There is a usage mode where the user can controlremotely by the portable video player 2 and plays the subsequent videoin a bedroom without ejecting the DVD-RAM disc after he or she playsvideo by the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus in a livingroom, for example.

In this embodiment, a DVD-RAM disc is used as a recording medium,however the present invention is not limited to this. Any recordingmedium with a disc shape such as MO, an optical disc, which is DVD-R,DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CD-R, and CD-RW, for example, or a hard disc can beused. A semiconductor memory can also be used. In such cases, it is alsopossible to obtain similar effects.

In addition, the pickup 130 is used as a reading and writing head inthis embodiment, however, a pickup and a magnetic head are used as areading and writing head, in the case of MO, and a magnetic head is usedas a reading and writing head, in the case of a hard disc.

Additionally, a broadcast program is compressed in MPEG2 and MPEG4 bythe AV data recording and reproducing apparatus in this embodiment,however, in the case of digital airwaves, a MPEG2-compressed stream anda MPEG4-compressed stream included in the airwaves may be directlyrecorded in separated files as transport streams. On the other hand,they may be recorded in one file. Besides, in the latter case, the samefilename is recorded in the co-record denoting information in FIG. 4.

In addition, the reproduction-interruption information is recorded ontoa recording disc such as the DVD-RAM 131 in this embodiment, however, itmay be recorded on a flash memory installed in the AV data recording andreproducing apparatus. In this case, it is necessary to record a mediaidentifier with an identifier, in order to identify which recordingmedium is interrupted playing.

In addition, the co-record denoting information in FIG. 4 is recordedonto a recording disc such as the DVD-RAM 131 in this embodiment,however, it may be recorded on a flash memory installed in the AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus. In this case, it is necessary torecord a media identifier with an identifier, in order to identify afilename of video in the DVD-RAM disc.

Additionally, in the case of reproduction of the mini-video, in order toreduce power consumption, the number of rotation of the DVD-RAM drivemay be reduced according to the bit rate of the mini-video.

In addition, the mini-video is compressed in an MP4 stream including anMPEG4 video stream in this embodiment, however, it may be compressed ina MPEG-TS stream. Additionally, a QuickTime file including a continuousJPEG stream (Motion JPEG stream) or a stream based on the Motion JPEG2000 standard may be generated.

Further, the compression methods in the present invention are notlimited to two types of compression methods, they may be three or moretypes of compression methods. In this case, similar effects mentionedabove can be obtained by decoding by an apparatus with a decodingsection suitable for each compression method.

In addition, the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1 is usedas one example of reproducing apparatus according to the present,however, it is also used as one example of a recording apparatusaccording to the present, when it records signals compressed in aplurality of different compression methods and record managementinformation of the association with each other's association of thesignals onto a recording medium. In this case, since the recordingapparatus according to the present is only required to have the abovecapability, it is not always necessary to have reproducing capability.

Additionally, it is not always necessary for the portable video player 2to have the compressing capability in a plurality of compression methodsor to have the recording capability for recording a compressed signal inthe above description. Namely, the portable video player 2 may be aplayback-only machine. However, it is necessary to have recordingcapability for recording the reproduction-interruption information ontoa recording medium as mentioned above.

Furthermore, the reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention may be a single apparatus with both the capability of the AVdata recording and reproducing apparatus 1 and the capability of theportable video player 2. That is, it plays a role of the AV datarecording and reproducing apparatus 1 with connecting to a power sourceline and the large display TV3 when reproducing indoors, and plays arole of the portable video player 2 with the battery when carriedoutdoors. In this case, it is also possible to obtain similar effects.

In addition, each compressed data may be recorded on a flash memoryinstalled in the AV data recording and reproducing apparatus 1.

Additionally, a broadcast program is recorded on a recording mediumaccording to the present invention as an example in the abovedescription, however, needless to say, the present invention is notlimited to this.

Besides, a program according to the present invention is a program forcausing a computer to perform a function(s) of all of or a part of means(or a device, a chip, etc.) of the reproducing apparatus or therecording apparatus according to the present invention mentioned above,and is a program cooperating with a computer.

In addition, a recording medium according to the present invention is arecording medium, which stores a program for causing a computer toperform a function(s) of all of or a part of all of or a part of means(or a device, a chip, etc.) of the reproducing apparatus or therecording apparatus according to the present invention mentioned above,and is readable by a computer, wherein said read program executes saidcapability by cooperating with said computer.

Besides, the above “a part of means (or a device, a chip, etc.)” isdefined as one or more means of the plurality of those means in thepresent invention.

In addition, “capability of means (or a device, a chip, etc.)” isdefined as all of or a part of capability of said means in the presentinvention.

Additionally, a program according to the present invention may berecorded on a recording medium readable by a computer to cooperate withsaid computer as one application mode.

In addition, a program according to the present invention may be readthrough a transmission medium to cooperate with said computer as anotherapplication mode.

Besides, a ROM or the like can be used as a recording medium, and atransmission medium such as Internet, light, a radio wave, an acousticwave, and so on can be used as a transmission medium.

In addition, a computer according to the present invention is notlimited to hardware itself such as a CPU or the like, however, it mayinclude firmware, and an OS, further and a peripheral device.

Additionally, as mentioned above, the present invention can beconstructed in hardware or in software.

Moreover, a data structure recorded on a recording medium such as aDVD-RAM mentioned above also falls within the scope of the presentinvention. In this case, a database, a data format, a data table, a datalist, a data type, and so on are included as a data structure.

As mentioned above, a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatusaccording to the present invention can effectively play a broadcastprogram both outdoors and indoors. That is, exhaustion of a battery of arecording and reproducing apparatus can be reduced in reproductionoutdoors, and it is possible to play the subsequent same program fromsome midpoint on a large display with easily switched.

A recording and reproducing system according to the present inventionhas an effect that it can play video and/or audio suitably for acondition of each playing mode even when a previously specified playingmode is changed, therefore, it is advantageous for a reproducingapparatus and so on.

1. A recording and reproducing system, comprising: a reproducing unitthat extracts, from a recording medium in which signals that arecompressed in a plurality of different conditions, and record managementinformation that denotes a mutual association between said signals thatare compressed in a plurality of different conditions are recorded,respectively, any of said signals; a decoding unit that decodes any ofsaid signals; a transmitting unit that transmits any of said signals;and a remote decoding unit that decodes said transmitted signal, whereinsaid reproducing unit outputs said extracted signal to said decodingunit or said transmitting unit, and records, in correspondence to saidrecord management information, reproduction management informationincluding reproduction middle information with regard to decoding insaid decoding unit or said remote decoding unit.
 2. The recording andreproducing system according to claim 1, wherein said reproducing unitcan transmit said extracted signal to said remote decoding unit, and insaid transmission, based on said record management information and saidreproduction management information, transmits signals after signalscorresponding to said reproduction middle information included in saidreproduction management information.